2004 Santa Cruz Mountains, bottled August 2006 51% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 47% MERLOT,1% PETIT VERDOT, 1% CABERNET FRANC A surprisingly warm spring triggered early budbreak on Monte Bello, but cool summer temperatures extended the growing season. Several weather systems passed through during harvest, bringing anxiety, but little moisture. Three-quarters of the grapes were in when, on the weekend of October 18, heavy rain brought harvest to a halt. Fortunately, the following week was sunny and windy. The fruit dried, sugars recovered, and we continued picking each parcel as full flavor developed, finishing on October 23. After natural primary and secondary fermentations ended, we began assembling the Monte Bello and this outstanding Santa Cruz Mountains. Based on blind tastings, we included selected portions of the early-ripening merlot and the last-picked cabernet, all of the first press, and the richest of the second. By April, assemblage was complete. Twenty-two months in air-dried american oak has integrated the wine. It is beautifully balanced, and can be enjoyed now, yet will develop still greater complexity with five to ten years of bottle age. |